The geographic information science (GISc) field is a diverse and rapidly growing industry in which some roles are projected to grow by 14% by 2026,1 which makes the role of a GISc technician all the more vital. As we watch natural disasters unfold and the effects of human interference take shape on our planet, the need for GISc expertise and spatial technology prowess is featured daily, worldwide. Additional GISc experience can help environmental protection professionals make significant imp...

Geographic information science (GISc) has numerous applications in fields ranging from emergency response and agriculture to finance and real estate, and with GISc jobs set to increase by 14% by 2026,1 a master’s in GISc and a solid understanding of how to apply geographic information systems (GIS) could be what sets you apart in this growing field.

For those in the GISc field who want to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to take on leadership roles but are reluctant to halt their c...

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Human Interference and Its Effect on Biomes | Kent State Online GISchttps://qa1-kent.everspringpartners.com/geography/geographic-information-science/community/biomes-types-and-human-impact2018-09-11T00:00:00+00:002018-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

Although various fields of science may differ in how they use the word, a "biome" can generally be defined as a geographically large ecosystem with a shared physical climate. Earth’s biomes can be classified broadly into two overarching categories, terrestrial and aquatic. These are further divided based on climate and on the dominant plants and animals that have evolved to thrive in their specific environmental conditions.

Biomes are not restricted to specific geographic regions, and they m...

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How Do Humans Affect the Environment? | Kent Statehttps://qa1-kent.everspringpartners.com/geography/geographic-information-science/community/human-impact-on-the-environment2018-06-04T00:00:00+00:002018-06-04T00:00:00+00:00

Human activity has been affecting the environment for thousands of years, from the time of our very earliest ancestors. Since Homo sapiens first walked the earth, we have been modifying the environment around us through agriculture, travel and eventually through urbanization and commercial networks. At this point in earth’s physical history, our impact on the environment is so substantial that scientists believe “pristine nature,” or ecosystems untouched by human intervention, no longer exist....

The Many Career Paths of GISc

A Look at what Geographic Information Science Could Mean for Your Future

There’s an old adage nearly everyone’s heard: “Work a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” As true as this sentiment may be, the facts about employment suggest that a majority of people are not working jobs they love. In fact, far from it.

From Our Very Own: Kent State University's Department of Geography Chair Scott Sheridan

In the modern world, media is saturated with images of natural disasters and their impacts on human health and infrastructure. And while the most memorable images for many are of the damages done by hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes, in the U.S., the deadliest atmospheric hazard over the last few decades has been excessive heat. While everyone generally knows the advice to take it easy during hot wea...

From Our Very Own: Kent State University's Department of Geography Chair Scott Sheridan

We're all familiar with oceanic tides, which cycle roughly every 12 1/2 hours based on the relative positions of the earth and the moon. Some places have greater ranges than others, based on the local configuration of the coastline. Every couple of weeks, when the sun, earth and moon all line up, we have "spring tides," in which the tidal fluctuations are stronger than normal.

We also know that sometimes,...

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Kent State Geographers Receive Two NOAA Research Grantshttps://qa1-kent.everspringpartners.com/geography/geographic-information-science/community/research-grants-to-study-climate-change2017-12-28T00:00:00+00:002017-12-28T00:00:00+00:00
Innovation through Geography and Technology

A pair of Kent State University geographers have teamed up to secure two research grants totaling more than $550,000 for separate projects to study climate change and weather patterns.

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A Map of Key Termshttps://qa1-kent.everspringpartners.com/geography/geographic-information-science/community/a-map-of-key-terms2017-10-18T00:00:00+00:002017-10-18T00:00:00+00:00

A Journey through the Vocabulary of GISc

We typically view language as evolving at a glacial pace. Yet, consider the fact that the Merriam-Webster Dictionary added more than 1,000 new words in February 2017—and more than 2,000 in April 2016.1

So, what’s driving the meteoric evolution of language? It’s simple: innovation. It’s the biggest driver of change, affecting how we speak and act every day.

Defining the Words Behind the Science

If you’ve been following our series on the language of geographic information science (GISc), you know just how expansive the glossary is. You also know how interesting and important GISc can be and its ability to positively affect the world.

As we move from the beginning and middle of the alphabet to the latter half, it’s useful to remember that all definitions have an application. With that in mind, consider the ways each of these definitions can...